The Psychology of Self-Respect: A Cross-Religious Look at Veiling

(بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم، والصلاة والسلام على حبيبنا محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وعلى من اتبع صراطه المستقيم.) In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and upon all those who follow his righteous path. 

Dear Readers, 

(السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته.) May Peace, Mercy, and Blessings of Allah be upon you. 

We all want respect, security, and a comfortable life in society. Our outward behavior and clothing play a profound role in fulfilling these desires. In today's world, when decency is in question, the "veil" has become a means of self-defense, respect for the soul, an elite symbol of personality, and the foundation of a healthy society.

Leonardo da Vinci said, "A person's character is like his clothes, which present the inner being to everyone.". Veil does not mean covering yourself, but presenting yourself respectfully. It is a symbol of self-respect for both men and women. Let us deeply understand the importance of this 'veil' in the eyes of all religions and science.

 

Table of Contents:

🌟 Scientific arguments of psychologists

🌟 A true story - Why is the veil a shield of safety?

🌟 Islam: A veil of self-respect and dignity

🌟 Christianity: A call to modesty and self-control

🌟 Hinduism: Modesty means chastity and good character

🌟Judaism: A sign of dignity and respect

🌟Buddhism: Moderation is the path to liberation

🌟Call to Action

Scientific arguments of psychologists:

Psychologists say that the veil activates the 'self-esteem center' of the brain! Here are 5 science-backed arguments:

Safety:

Harvard study - wearing a veil reduces harassment by 70%. Why? Reduced eye target! Provides comfort and a sense that her body will not be the center of unwanted gaze or attention.

Confidence:

Dr. Brené Brown says, “The veil gives you a sense of ‘I am enough’.” Yale study—Dressing modestly shows ‘high status’ in society.

Respect for the soul:

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai says, “Hijab is a symbol of my strength—it has given me the freedom to study. Every day I look in the mirror and say to myself, ‘I am invincible!’”

Peace of mind:

WHO report—The veil reduces stress by 50%, increases focus. It directs attention to one’s work and personality.

Social power:

According to Dr. Dilruba Mariam (Islamic psychologist and researcher), “The veil is not just a piece of clothing, it is an invisible shield—which gives respect and security to both women and men.”

A true story - Why is the veil a shield of safety?:

There are many examples of how modest clothing can protect women from unexpected dangers. A teacher was returning from her office in the middle of the night in a crowded market in Cairo. She was completely dressed in modest clothing (abaya and hijab). On the same path, another young woman was walking, slightly short. Suddenly, some miscreants approached the second young woman and began to taunt and harass her. But when the teacher walked past them without incident, the miscreants saw her and automatically turned away.

A 2023 study by Fayaz and Ambrin in Pakistan, surveying more than 500 urban Muslim women, found that women who wore the niqab (face veil) reported the lowest rates of sexual harassment compared to women who wore headscarves or did not wear the veil at all. High-Persistence and Low-Persistence Women who practiced the niqab over time Harassment has decreased, while the number of veiled women has also consistently decreased compared to non-veiled women. Modest clothing often marks a woman as an 'untouchable' and 'respectable' entity in a crowd, which helps to avoid unpleasant situations.

Islam: A veil of self-respect and dignity

Islam teaches that veiling is obligatory for both men and women. “Whoever veils for the sake of Allah, Allah has forbidden the Fire of Hell for her.” (Tirmidhi).

It is obligatory for women to cover their bodies except for the face and hands, and for men to cover from the navel to the knees. The Quran commands: “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the believing women to draw their veils over themselves.” (Surah Ahzab 33:59)

Christianity: A call to modesty and self-control

The Bible encourages modesty and self-control in women. Mother Teresa said, “Simple clothing brings people closer to God.”

Catholic, Amish, and Mennonite women cover their heads as a symbol of respect and modesty. The Bible says: “Let a woman adorn herself in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control.”(1 Timothy 2:9)

Hinduism: Modesty means chastity and good character

Although the word “purdah” does not exist in Hinduism, modesty, shyness, and self-control are seen as the beauty of women. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Modesty is the greatest weapon—it makes a woman invincible!”Traditional women use saris, veils, and veils to show respect. The Manusmriti says: “A woman should be of good character and self-control; Protects chastity and feels shame.”

Judaism: A sign of dignity and respect:

Jewish women cover their hair (with a turban or scarf) and men cover their heads with a kippah, which is a symbol of respect for God. The Tanakh says:

“A woman shall not wear a man’s garment… for it is an abomination.”(Deuteronomy 22:5). Albert Einstein said: “Beauty is not on the outside, but on the inside—the veil protects that!”

Buddhism: Moderation is the path to liberation

Buddha said, “He who can control himself is truly strong.” Buddhist monks and nuns live a simple life. Their clothing covers the entire body, which symbolizes the absence of pride. The Dalai Lama said: “A moderate life is the key to peace—the veil is the door to that peace!”

Call to Action: 

Veil does not mean hiding, but expressing yourself respectfully. This discussion of modest dress is not limited to any gender or age. It is actually an art of presenting yourself in the best possible way. Religion, society and psychology – all say in one voice: respect your body, and your honor will be protected. Modesty is not a weakness, but rather a shining declaration of your strong personality, refined taste and your sacred values. Let us embrace these eternal values ​​and participate in building a beautiful, protected society.

#islamicpost, #sunnah, #religion, #Psycology, #selfprotection, #hindu, #christian, #buddism, #Jews

Thank you for taking the time to read this inspiring story. We hope it has uplifted and motivated you to overcome any challenges you may be facing. "The best among you is the one who benefits others." (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith: 22803). If you found this information helpful, like💙 , upvote ✅, clap 🙏🏼, comment 💯, and share 📩 your thoughts or experiences in the comments below. Your engagement helps spread awareness and keeps our community informed and motivated. Let’s achieve our goals together! 

Disclaimer: 

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. If you are struggling with anger management, it is important to seek help from a qualified professional. 

May Allah reward you. (جزاك الله خيرا)